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Worship
Resources for Peace
from The Episcopal Church, USA
From the Book
of Common Prayer, the Episcopal Church, pages 815 - 840.
3. For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed
us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take
away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that
separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all
nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
4. For Peace
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is
drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of
love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered
under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be
dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
5. For Peace Among the Nations
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the
nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them
that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
6. For our Enemies
O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us
to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and
us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to
stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
18. For our Country
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land
for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a
people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with
honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence,
discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought
hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those
to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be
justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show
forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill
our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in
thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
19. For the President of the United States and
all in Civil Authority
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the
world: We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that, being guided by
thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to the
President of the United States, the Governor of this State (or Commonwealth),
and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will.
Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful
of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
25. For those in the Armed Forces of our Country
Almighty
God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our
armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly
grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to
face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding
presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
26. For those who suffer for the sake of
Conscience
O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies
while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake
of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they
are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them
from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and
to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we
ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.
44. For the Future of the Human Race
O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us
and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the
mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race,
and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in
accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
57. For Guidance
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most
gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our
works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy
Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
58. For Guidance
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment,
and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our
doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to
do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy
light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
59. For Quiet Confidence
O God of peace, who hast taught us that in
returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be
our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to
thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
62. A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where
there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is
discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where
there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so
much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be
loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that
we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
7. For the Diversity of Races and Cultures
O God, who created all peoples in your image, we
thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world.
Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your
presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of your love is
made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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